2018
Ar abian Horse Times | 5 | Volume 48, No. 8
Ar abian Horse Times | 6 | Volume 48, No. 8
Ar abian Horse Times | 7 | Volume 48, No. 8
Ar abian Horse Times | 8 | Volume 48, No. 8
Ar abian Horse Times | 16 | Midwest
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This is a special opportunity to mention a mare that was near and dear to all - RHR Lovely (DA Valentino x LC Psychesheiress). Sadly, Lovely was lost earlier this year. But she will always be remembered for the three very special foals she produced that will carry on her legacy at OFW. Another exquisite mare that will not be overlooked is the famous Duchess Of Marwan (Marwan Al Shaqab x Amety B), who everyone believes will have a big impact with OFW. Orrion Farms’ business model concentrates on their high level mares and breeding to select outside stallions. With no breeding stallion owned or standing at the farm, they are free to choose sires without bias or hindrance of geographical boundaries; sires with the potential to enhance or elevate their mares’ qualities and to produce superior foals both in type and future breeding potential. Orrion Farm’s goal is to one day breed a stallion-quality colt from one of their outstanding mares. Doug Leadley says that at this point, they have a few stellar colts that show promising potential as breeding sires, but they still have some growing up to do before being put to the test, including El Rey Magnum, who is just a yearling, so they will have to wait a while to realize his impact as a future sire.
Along with the excitement of creating a world-class breeding program comes responsibilities. Doug Leadley states, “The goal at Orrion Farms is to create happy, healthy, trusting and well-trained horses. All of our foals will be given the training and education they need to be positive members of our community. We want them to be the kind of horses their owners can enjoy in any discipline or recreation – halter, performance, or a super fun trail horse – all are treated the same here at OFW. When it comes to training, our number one goal is safety – for the horses and everyone involved. We have extremely talented and experienced staff here at OFW. All our foals go through ‘OFW Kindergarten,’ which starts them on their way to being well-trained, highly trusting and trust-worthy young horses. The OFW herd includes several Arabian riding horses, purposely selected to head off the question, ‘Do you ride these horses?’ The answer to that is an emphatic, yes, we love riding our Arabian horses!” Another critical aspect of the breeding program is marketing. One of the farm’s long-term goals is to see OFW horses competing successfully around the globe. With more than 40 years of experience as a trainer, handler and manager, Doug Leadley knows that deciding which
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3) Ar abian Horse Times | 34 | U.S.A. Breeders
horses to sell is never an easy job. Making sure the quality of foals bred at OFW is at the level that will create demand, and find owners that will provide good homes and opportunities for the horses to flourish, will be an exciting task – and everyone at OFW is committed to their horses and their goals. Doug shares the Orrion Farms vision for the future, “As breeders, the goal is to continue to grow the OFW breeding program, focusing on a solid genetic foundation. We are strong believers in creating predictability within our foundation and thus far, we have acquired an exceptional group of mares we believe have the potential to provide the predictability and consistency we strive for. As members of the Arabian horse community, we look forward to growing and strengthening the wonderful relationships we’ve made and contributing in a meaningful way for years to come.” 5)
1) MAKAYAH (OFW Magic Wan x Maria El Besson) 2017 U.S. National Champion Junior Mare & 2015 U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly 2) NAILLLA DE BLOODSTONE (Etaya Sudan Amir x MB Pirouette) 2018 Scottsdale International Gold Champion Straight Egyptian Senior Mare & 2017 Egyptian Event Gold Champion Junior Mare 3) LULU MARAJJ (Marajj x Silhouette FF) 2017 Unanimous U.S. National Champion Yearling Filly 4) OFW KASHIUS (Kahil Al Shaqab x Covergirl PA) Region V Champion Sweepstakes Yearling Colt 5) EL REY MAGNUM RCF (Basilio CS x Cirque Du Soleil BF) 2018 Unanimous Scottsdale International Arabian Breeders Classic Gold Champion Yearling Colt
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Excalibur EA
Proudly owned by Orrion Farms Manager Doug Leadley, 602.550.8536 www.OrrionFarms.com Ar abian Horse Times | 70 | Volume 49, No. 4A A
Vesperra
A HT Abroad
| 158 | Winter 2018
FROM THE HEAVENS ... EXXALTRESS BY KRISTI HOPP
D
uring the spring of 2016, a very special filly entered the world. The cross of Excalibur EA (Shanghai EA x Essence of Marwan EA) to Vesperra (SF Veraz x LF Triumphant Star) had proven spectacular before, with Exxalt, so there was no question that this one would be a world standard result. Her granddam, LF Triumphant Star (Thee Desperado x Princess Tammen) caught Ted Carson’s eye many years ago, at the prestigious Egyptian Event. Looking to incorporate Egyptian bloodlines, this filly fit the bill. She is not only sired by one of the most prolific Egyptian stallions, but is a Tammen granddaughter, the copper chestnut stallion remembered for his Hollywood ties to the late, great Patrick Swayze. Only a 2-year-old that year, LF Triumphant Star was named Reserve Champion at the Egyptian Event. A partnership was quickly formed to purchase the young beauty, and with Frances Butler, Sybil Collins and Sandra Smith as her proud new owners, the journey began. SF Veraz (Gazal Al Shaqab x Veronica GA) has always held a special place in Ted Carson’s heart, so he was excited to guide LF Triumphant Star’s owners to cross with him, and the result was a striking filly who they named Vesperra. After being shown to Bronze Champion Scottsdale Filly, she was moved to the breeding barn where she quickly proved herself as an amazing broodmare. She was bred to Triple Crown winner (European, All Nation’s Cup and World Championships) Excalibur EA. Interestingly enough, both Excalibur EA and Vesperra were only 2-year-olds at the time (the mating accomplished by embryo transfer), and in 2014, the charismatic Exxalt was the result. The cross was repeated two years later, and the result was that beautiful special filly, named Exxaltress. As she grew up frolicking through the rolling pastures, she was deemed ready to put into show training
The Rose Report Back Cover Story in late 2017, with sights set on Scottsdale the following February. Always on the lookout for young stars, Orrion Farms’ Doug Leadley discovered Exxaltress in January. Doug remembers, “I was looking for an extraordinary filly. When Ted presented Exxaltress to me, I knew I was looking at just that. This filly was one that would take most breeders a lifetime to produce.” Entered in the Scottsdale show, Exxaltress won her Two-Year-Old Fillies class and was set for Championship Sunday. Doug, acting on instinct and his previous impressions of the filly, acquired her for Orrion Farms before Sunday. Orrion Farms’ owners, Steve and Christina Poore, remembered, “She was a clear stand out on the show grounds and it seemed everyone was talking about her. Thanks to our manager Doug, he was quick to speak with Ted and made sure she would be joining the Orrion Farm broodmare herd.” But before she would come home to produce babies for Orrion, Steve and Christina were anxious for her to finish out the 2018 show season. “Exxaltress had set the bar high in Scottsdale, and we had full confidence with her heading into Tulsa.” Needless to say, she did not disappoint. Ted Carson and Exxaltress continued a unanimous winning streak throughout the year, capping it off with a U.S. National Championship in a very competitive Two-YearOld Fillies class. Beaming with pride, Steve and Christina have announced that Exxaltress is expecting her first foal in 2019, via embryo transfer, by World Champion QR Marc (Marwan Al Shaqab x Swete Dreams). In addition to this coming foal, Exxaltress’ breeders, Frances Butler, Sybil Collins and Sandra Smith, are also expecting an embryo by the highly decorated son of QR Marc, Emerald J (x Emandoria). It is clear, the future looks incredibly bright for Exxaltress and Orrion Farms. With its business model built around mare power, Exxaltress adds an exciting dimension to their breeding program.n